Centre’s United Way campaign reflects campus ‘commitment to the common good’

Centre College’s Heart of Kentucky United Way (HKUW) campaign, an annual campus effort that gives back to the regional community, ended on Dec. 1, with another successful year.

“The faculty and staff of Centre stepped forward to demonstrate their commitment to the common good through their generous donations to the HKUW,” said Patrick Noltemeyer, chief planning officer and special assistant to the president for institutional research and special events, who served as this year’s campaign honorary chair.

According to Ben Nelson, human resources generalist and training coordinator, 81 gifts were made by faculty, staff and retirees.

“Members of the Iota Chapter of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity, with support from Performing Arts Coordinator Sallie Bright, followed through on their commitment to the United Way as their local philanthropy by organizing the Centre Favors Auction, a silent auction featuring donations from the College community,” Noltemeyer said.

The Favors Auction engages the entire Centre community and features favorite items, like gift baskets, reserved parking spaces and dinners at faculty homes. This year’s event raised a total of $2,246.

In addition to the gifts and auction, a portion of the donations were matched by the College, raising a total of $25,713.64.

“This year’s total donation compares favorably to last, demonstrating the Centre community’s on-going commitment to the positive work of the United Way in our community,” Noltemeyer added.

Nelson said, as in the past, additional gifts are received after the formal close of the campaign.

“We will continue to work with HKUW staff to update our giving totals over time,” he added. “I believe this year’s campaign for HKUW will extend into the spring, so folks can still give, and it will go toward the community-wide goal for this year.”

HKUW is an organization that serves more than 30 agencies and impacts the lives of thousands in Boyle, Garrard, Mercer and Lincoln counties each year, and 99 percent of the money raised by the United Way returns to these communities making a difference across age groups.

“The HKUW and its partners do a great deal of work in our community to help ensure children enter school ready to learn and succeed, that youth complete high school ready for college or career, that families have adequate income and assets to independently meet their needs, and for individuals and families to have healthier, more productive lives,” Noltemeyer concluded. “We are proud to partner with them in these efforts.”